As a fan of science fiction, I find it interesting that I've never considered what the term entails. I tend to be a literalist with these sort of things; I think it should consist of science with a healthy dose of fiction. I attribute the presence of futuristic, alien, or otherwise "different" technology to the genre of science fiction.
More broadly, I think a work of science fiction incorporates a world that is somehow different from our own. This can range anywhere from the not too distant future to a galaxy far, far away. It is more evident in scientific discovery but also has ramifications in realms like political and social spheres.
Science fiction is not reality. However, the inherent science present lends it plausibility. It suggests that it could be real and leaves us wondering.
I think that the possibility that sci-fi could exist at sometime in our world is responsible for much of the genre's appeal to people who may not find other fictional works very interesting. Being at least somewhat grounded in reality makes sci-fi more accessible to those new to the realm of fiction.
ReplyDeleteI also never really considered what the definition of science fiction was until now. I tend to agree with you with what kind of things our found in science fiction stories, as I also tend to take definitions of a genre very literally. The fact that science fiction tends to explain things in detail to the reader to make it seems real is a major part of what the genre is to me also. Overall, I tend to agree with you definition of what science fiction encompasses.
ReplyDeleteI think what you said about the plausibility of science fiction is incredibly interesting. That is not something I had considered to be part of the definition of science fiction, but after reading your post, I definitely agree with you. I believe that the plausibility is what makes it so addicting and popular, readers get pulled into the story because it almost seems like it could be true.
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